President meets pope

Dr Tony Tan meeting with Pope Francis on May 28 in Rome. According to media reports, the pontiff accepted an invitation from Dr Tan to visit Singapore. Photos: Courtesy of the ISTANA and the MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION (MCI).

President Tony Tan met Pope Francis in Rome on May 28 during his eight-day state visit to Italy and the Holy See.

A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office said the meeting was “cordial” and the parties spoke about “the good relations between the Holy See and Singapore, as well as the collaboration between Church and State, especially in the educational and social fields,” according to Vatican Radio.

The statement said they also spoke about the “importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the promotion of human rights, stability, justice and peace in Southeast Asia.”

Dr Tan and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

Dr Tan invited Pope Francis to visit Singapore, according to media reports, to which the pontiff said he would be pleased to accept.

Dr Tan also met the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Dr Tan is the first Singapore head of state to officially meet a pope at the Vatican.